Toothbrush



Nov. 14, 133. J. E. ODONNELL TOOTHBRUSH Filed Aug. 27, 1952' INVENTOR vawgonv uae g If I I a l A t TOQEHImIEtEJdEi John E. O'Donnell, Application August 27, 1932. Serial No. 636M 21 4 Claims. (c2. re iss) My invention relates to tooth brushes, and more particularly to those of the type made of rubber, or similar soft flexible material. While the invention is hereinafter described as embodying rubber bristles of cup-like form which are split, it is to be noted that the bristles may each consist of a curved or semi-circular rubber-like member instead of each bristle unit being in the form of a split cup.

One object of my invention is to provide bristles of the character referred to which in use more effectively reach and massage the more remote portions of the teeth and gums instead of the rubbing action being confined mainly to the more convex or protruding portions of the teeth.v

Another object of my invention is to provide a brush whereinthe dentifrice will be forced into the recesses between the teeth and at the base thereof, and wherein it will be retained at those points where it may be most effectively utilized,

with a minimum of waste.

- Another object of my invention is to provide a bristle of such form that irritation of the tissues thereby will be minimized.

Still anotherobject of my invention is to provide a brush of generally improved form.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 shows a face view of the brush; Fig. 2 is a side elevatlonal view; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view,

0 on an enlarged scale; Fig. 4 shows a brush positioned against the sides of teeth being cleaned, looking at the bottom of the teeth; Fig. 5 is a view showing a bristle and a tooth, looking at the side of the tooth, and Fig. 6 shows a modification of the invention.

The brush handled maybe of bone, metal, or

suitable molded material. What I term the bristles 7 are formed of rubber or material-having similar characteristics in the way of flexibility and softness. The bristles 'l are of cup-like form,

fastened to the handle 6 by screw studs 8 whose heads are molded in the bases of the bristles 7, but it will be understood that the bristles may be 5 secured to the handle in any other suitable manner.

The cups are shown as of approximately circular form in cross section, but it will be understood that they may be oval or of any other suitable form. The walls of the cups are split at 9 to permit thehalf portions thereof to spread when pressed against the teeth, as shown in Fig. 4. The flexibility of the half portions 01' the cup is determined by the thickness of the bottom wall or base of the cup, as well as the wall thick nessof the half portions, and these dimensions can be varied to produce bristles having a desired degree of flexibility.

The half portions of the bristles are cut away or beveled at 10 so that there is no abrupt or sharp corners present to damage the gums of the user. @173 'In using the brush, a suitable dentifrice may be introduced into the bristles, whereupon they are applied to the teeth and the brush handle manipulated in the usual manner. The dentifrice will, of course, be in the most favorable position to be utilized by the inner or working faces of the bristles, so that there is little waste of the denti frice, and furthermore, it will be forced between the teeth by pumping action of the bristles, thereby replacing any debris and performing its sterilm izing-function. The inner or working surfaces of the cups may be fluted or knurled in order to A increase their effectiveness in carrying dentifrice to and cleansing the teeth.

The flexibility of the bristle sections or cup walls will prevent them from penetrating and irritating the soft tissues which surround the teeth, and the lips of the cups can be pushed under the free margins of the gums at the bases of the teeth, and will remove foreign matter therefrom and cleanse the necks of the teeth which lie under the free margins of the gums and sulci oil the cuspids, bicuspids and molars.

In manipulating the brush as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, for example, it will be seen that the higher or more convex portions of the teeth will not be submitted to pronounced rubbing or abracling action, as is the case with various types of brushes heretofore employed. The more convex areas of the teeth will require little or no rubbing, since W they are kept clean through contact with the lips and the tongue, and also through the chewing of hard food. It will be seen, therefore, that the design of my brush is such that its cleansing and massaging action will be confined principally to those portions of the teeth and gums that are not readily accessible by rubber brushes which are of unsplit cup form and which do not have the great flexibility of the bristles as shown in the m9 drawing.

Even in the case of the ordinary bristle brush, the cleansingaction is confined largely to the more convex areas of theteeth.

As heretofore indicated, I do not confine myself to rubber brushes of split cup form, as it will be obvious that rubber bristles which are simply curved about their-longitudinal axes may be employed to secure various of" the results above pointed out. Also the rubber brushes maybe of semi-circular form in cross section, instead of cu -like form, as shown in Fig. 6 wherein the brush elements 12 are fastened to the handle or holder 13. These brush elements 12 will each function in substantially the same manner as does each of the divided portions of the cups 7.

The curvature of the bristles causes the outer edges thereof to be placed under some tension when the bristles are flexed, so that the said outer edges will tend to cling to the surface being brushed or messaged, and to conform to the contour of said surface. Thisfeeture is of utility in forcing the lips or outer edges of the bristles under the free margins of the gums. Obviously, those portions of the working surfaces of the cup removed from the outer edges thereof are not under so great tension and will not exert so greet rubbing action on the convex surface of the teeth.

11 claim as my inventien:--

l. The combination with a holder, oi? brush member oi flexible material connected at its inner end to said member and being of semi-conical term about an eerie extending outwardly item neeuoee holder, the said member being of tapering thickness toward its outer end 2. The combination with a, holder, of a brush member of flexible material connected at its inner end to said member and being of semi-conicei form about an axis extending outwardly from said holder, the inner wall of seid member sloping from its inner end toward itsouter end and away from said axis.

3. The combination with e holder, of a brush member of flexible materiel having a, cone-shaped recess and a, solid base secured to said holder, the cone-shaped recess being split toward the base to divide it into semi-circulsr helves.

e. The combination with a holder, 01 a brush member of flexible meterinl herring a thickened.

base secured in the heider end being oi semi conical. iorrn ebeut en axis extending eutwsrdhr from the holder, the brush member being bi? tapering thickness tewnrd its enter end.

J @DQNNEEL.

Mitt

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